Endorsement & Sign-on Policy

NEC will sign onto policy letters, campaigns, etc that meet the following criteria:

• *supported by our membership 

• aligned with NEC mission and vision 

• aligned with the policies and vision of the NEC Policy Toolkit 

• aligned with NEC strategic direction 

• The policy was developed with meaningful leadership by and/or with full participation of individuals/communities on the frontline of the issue being addressed, and/or by organizations representing those frontline communities

• If the policy is local or regional, it has the potential to have national implications: serving as a “model” policy for replication, narrative-shifting, and/or movement-building related

If we have 72 hours+ notice for signing on:

• Notify members via Connect NEC that we are planning to endorse

• Give members time (ideally 1 week, but adjust for shorter time frames) to object to coalition-wide endorsement 

• If, after conversation between NEC staff and objecting member(s), 5% or more of NEC’s members still oppose endorsement, NEC will not endorse

• If fewer than 5% of members object, NEC will likely endorse 

• Even if fewer than 5% of members object to endorsement, NEC staff reserve the right to withhold endorsement if they deem that it would damage the reputation of the Coalition or of Coalition members, set back the work of the Coalition or Coalition members, or be contrary to NEC's mission and values.

If we have less than 72 hours notice:

Staff and board (member reps) are empowered to make the decision. NEC will also weigh more in favor of the sign on in this scenario if NEC members are already signed onto the letter. NEC will still send the opportunity/ decision to the membership to share if we sign on.